Thirty some years ago, I walked into a room at the high school to attend my first Houlton Humane Society meeting. I was greeted with enthusiasm and immediately impressed with the high level of professionalism and caring shown by the individuals who were the backbone of Houlton Humane in those days. By the end of the meeting I was on the board.
That is the last reference I am going to make to the past other than to say that over 30 years I have seen so much. I have witnessed heroic acts of selflessness. I have seen volunteers and staff who have crawled into tight spaces to rescue animals or gotten up in the middle of the night to make an emergency vet run. I have also seen those people volunteer at dozens upon dozens of fundraisers.
I have met the most incredible people who have had only one agenda — caring for the animals who have become lost, abandoned, neglected or abused.
I have squealed with grateful delight when notified of a grant approval. I have written check after check to cover the cost of spay neuter surgeries from a fund that was the dream of Karen Stairs, who made it her life’s mission to make sure no cat was left behind. Karen was successful in obtaining many a grant and it was my honor to work with her from the administrative end.
I have sat wide eyed and amazed when receiving calls that we were remembered in a will, and that monies would be given. One such donation large enough to ignite a fire under the board to finally realize our dream of a new shelter building.
I have cried many a day too. The hard battle fought to try to save all the shelter critters from the horrible outbreak of ringworm and the sad reality that our vet’s advice had to be taken and the heart wrenching pain of losing so many beautiful animals.
I cried when we tried for two full years to rehome a dog, only to watch his temperament become more and more aggressive. Calls went out all over the country to find a trainer or rehabilitation facility that would work with him and allow us to safely place him in a new home, but to no avail.
I cried with delight when one dog, scared of her own shadow, totally unadoptable out of pure fear, became the life long companion of one of our faithful volunteers. It has been the most incredible journey where friendships have been made and animals have been loved, cared for, and brought into new happy homes.
Almost three years ago, I was saddened to have to walk away from Houlton Humane. I had family obligations that had to be met. My energy went into caring for my dad, who was into his late 80’s and in and out of the hospital, failing on many levels. My goal was making his time on earth safe, pleasant, happy, and I was glad to do that. I had to be there, at home, with dad, not out running another fundraiser or attending another meeting or spending hours on the phone on shelter issues. I lost my dad last fall. Dad was with my husband and I for 18 years, he was a great man of quiet strength, and I miss him to the depths of my soul.
So that was then, and this is now. Now I’m back. No, I have not ridden in on a white horse to save the day. I’m just back. Houlton Humane Society board members have honored me with an interim board position as Chairman to help with the reorganizational effort and to help move the shelter forward.
I can think of no more fitting a way to recover from my grief than to immerse myself in a project and I can think of no better project than coming together with animal lovers to save animals. Current board members are myself, Nancy Waldron, Laura Marley, Barbara Murray, Dorene Humphrey, Linda Sewell and Tana McNutt. The shelter director is Ramona Conrad who is doing an amazing job. More board members will be added shortly. Our next meeting will be May 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the shelter. The doors are open.
Our goal is to get back to basics, to tend to the business of animal welfare, to make sure the shelter regains and earns the respect of the public, to work hand in hand with any and all other animal rescue groups, to walk beside them, to offer them our resources, to be a partner. Our goal is to heal from recent wounds, and to learn from mistakes. Our goal is to make tomorrow better than yesterday.
We urge you to join us. Please come to a meeting; volunteer to help clean cages; run a fundraiser; foster or transport when we need help; give us a call so we can make a list of who we can turn to when a need arises. Be a part of the healing process. We need you.
